PROSPECTS IN PHILLY: Twenty-two prospects and 14 college head coaches will attend the 2017 NFL Draft in Philadelphia.

Louisiana State leads all colleges with three players in attendance, while the Pac-12 leads all conferences with seven prospects confirmed to attend the event.

The players confirmed to attend this year’s NFL Draft:

1)

Jamal Adams

S

Louisiana State

12)

Marshon Lattimore

CB

Ohio State

2)

Jonathan Allen

DT

Alabama

13)

Malik McDowell

DT

Michigan State

3)

Chidobe Awuzie

CB

Colorado

14)

Takkarist McKinley

LB

UCLA

4)

Derek Barnett

DE

Tennessee

15)

Ryan Ramczyk

T

Wisconsin

5)

Garett Bolles

T

Utah

16)

Haason Reddick

LB

Temple

6)

Gareon Conley

CB

Ohio State

17)

Cam Robinson

T

Alabama

7)

Corey Davis

WR

Western Michigan

18)

John Ross

WR

Washington

8)

Leonard Fournette

RB

Louisiana State

19)

Solomon Thomas

DE

Stanford

9)

Adoree’ Jackson

CB

Southern California

20)

Mitchell Trubisky

QB

North Carolina

10)

Kevin King

CB

Washington

21)

Deshaun Watson

QB

Clemson

11)

DeShone Kizer

QB

Notre Dame

22)

Tre’Davious White

CB

Louisiana State

The college head coaches confirmed to attend this year’s NFL Draft:

1)

Larry Fedora

North Carolina

8)

Ed Orgeron

Louisiana State

2)

P.J. Fleck

Minnesota

9)

Chris Petersen

Washington

3)

Butch Jones

Tennessee

10)

Matt Rhule

Baylor

4)

Brian Kelly

Notre Dame

11)

Nick Saban

Alabama

5)

Mike MacIntyre

Colorado

12)

David Shaw

Stanford

6)

Urban Meyer

Ohio State

13)

Dabo Swinney

Clemson

7)

Jim Mora

UCLA

14)

Kyle Whittingham

Utah

— NFL DRAFT —

ROLL TIDE: Several players from Alabama have the chance to hear their names in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, including DT JONATHAN ALLEN, LB REUBEN FOSTER, TE O.J. HOWARD and T CAM ROBINSON.

If Alabama has a player selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Crimson Tide will tie Florida (1983-91) for the second-longest consecutive streak of players drafted in the first round since the advent of the common draft in 1967. Alabama currently has eight consecutive drafts with at least one first-round pick.

Miami (1995-2008) holds the longest streak with 14 consecutive drafts having at least one player selected in the first round.

The longest streak of consecutive seasons with a first-round pick (since 1967):

YEARS

SCHOOL

CONSECUTIVE SEASONS WITH A FIRST-ROUND PICK

1995-2008

Miami

14

1983-1991

Florida

9

2009-2016

Alabama

8*

1997-2003

Florida

7

1991-1997

Ohio State

7

1983-1989

Pittsburgh

7

*Active streak

— NFL DRAFT —

BOUNTIFUL BUCKEYES: Three Ohio State players are projected to have their names called in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft – S MALIK HOOKER, CB MARSHON LATTIMORE and CB GAREON CONLEY. In 2016, the Buckeyes had a draft-high five players selected in the first round.

If all three players are selected in the first round, Ohio State would tie Alabama (2011-12) for the fourth-most first-round picks over any two-year span since 1967. Miami is the only school with more first-round choices over any two-year span, with nine players selected from both 2001-02 and 2002-03 and 10 players drafted from 2003-04.

The schools with the most first-round picks over any two-year span (since 1967):

YEARS

SCHOOL

FIRST-ROUND PICKS OVER TWO-YEAR SPAN

2003-04

Miami

10

2002-03

Miami

9

2001-02

Miami

9

2011-12

Alabama

8

— NFL DRAFT —

STAR-STUDDED STOPPERS: Texas A&M DE MYLES GARRETT,Stanford DE SOLOMON THOMAS and Alabama DT JONATHAN ALLEN are projected to be taken early in the first round of the NFL Draft.

If two defensive linemen are selected with the first and second picks, it would mark the third time in the common draft era that a pair of defensive linemen were taken first and second overall.

The defensive linemen taken first and second overall in the same draft since 1967:

YEAR

NO. 1 PICK

SCHOOL

TEAM

NO. 2 PICK

SCHOOL

TEAM

1976

Lee Roy Selmon

Oklahoma

Tampa Bay

Steve Niehaus

Notre Dame

Seattle

1972

Walt Patulski

Notre Dame

Buffalo

Sherman White

California

Cincinnati

Garrett would be the first player from Texas A&M selected with the first overall pick and the sixth Aggie to be selected in the top 10 since 2011.

The Texas A&M players selected in the top 10 since 2011:

YEAR

NAME

POSITION

NO. CHOSEN

TEAM

2014

Jake Matthews

T

6

Atlanta

2014

Mike Evans

WR

7

Tampa Bay

2013

Luke Joeckel

T

2

Jacksonville

2012

Ryan Tannehill

QB

8

Miami

2011

Von Miller

LB

2

Denver

Thomas would become the fourth player in Stanford history and the first non-quarterback to be selected in the top five of the NFL Draft.

The Stanford players selected in the top five of the NFL Draft since 1967:

YEAR

NAME

POSITION

NO. CHOSEN

TEAM

2012

Andrew Luck

QB

1

Indianapolis

1983

John Elway

QB

1

Baltimore Colts

1971

Jim Plunkett

QB

1

New England

— NFL DRAFT —

FIRST TIME QBs: North Carolina QB MITCHELL TRUBISKY and Texas Tech QB PATRICK MAHOMES would each be the first quarterback from their respective schools selected in the first round.

Trubisky would join T.J. YATES (2011, fifth round) and RONALD CURRY (2002, seventh round) as the only Tar Heels’ signal callers to be selected in the NFL Draft.

If selected in the first round, Mahomes would be the fourth Texas Tech player and the first Red Raider quarterback selected in the first round since 1967.

The players from Texas Tech selected in the first round of the draft since 1967:

YEAR

PLAYER

POSITION

NO. CHOSEN

TEAM

2009

Michael Crabtree

WR

10

San Francisco

1983

Gabe Rivera

NT

21

Pittsburgh

1981

Ted Watts

DB

21

Oakland

— NFL DRAFT —

THE CHAMP IS HERE: Clemson QB DESHAUN WATSON was named the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game Most Valuable Offensive Player after passing for 420 yards with three touchdowns and rushing for a score in the Tigers’ 35-31 victory over Alabama.

If selected in the first round, Watson would become the eighth quarterback since 1967 to start and win a national championship and be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, and the fifth quarterback to accomplish the feat in the same year.

The quarterbacks to start and win a national championship and be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1967:

PLAYER

TEAM

YEAR SELECTED (NO. CHOSEN)

SCHOOL

NATL. CHAMP. SEASON

Jameis Winston

Tampa Bay

2015 (1st)

Florida State

2013

Cam Newton

Carolina

2011 (1st)

Auburn

2010

Tim Tebow

Denver

2010 (25th)

Florida

2008

Vince Young

Tennessee

2006 (3rd)

Texas

2005

Matt Leinart

Arizona

2006 (10th)

Southern California

2004

Todd Blackledge

Kansas City

1983 (7th)

Penn State

1982

Jerry Tagge

Green Bay

1972 (11th)

Nebraska

1971

— NFL DRAFT —

THAT’S TIGHT: Alabama TE O.J. HOWARD and Miami TE DAVID NJOKU hope to hear their names called in the first round of the Draft. If both players are selected in the top 20, it would mark the fifth time since 1967 that two tight ends have been chosen in the first 20 selections of the first round of the NFL Draft.

The pairs of tight ends drafted in the top 20 of the NFL Draft since 1967:

YEAR

PLAYER

SCHOOL

NO. CHOSEN

TEAM

1992

Derek Brown

Notre Dame

14

New York Giants

Johnny Mitchell

Nebraska

15

New York Jets

1974

J.V. Cain

Colorado

7

St. Louis Cardinals

Reuben Gant

Oklahoma State

18

Buffalo

1973

Charle Young

Southern California

6

Philadelphia

Paul Seymour

Michigan

7

Buffalo

Billy Joe DuPree

Michigan State

20

Dallas

1972

Riley Odoms

Houston

5

Denver

Jerome Barkum

Jackson State

9

New York Jets

— NFL DRAFT —

SAFETY GUARANTEED: Louisiana State S JAMAL ADAMS and Ohio State S MALIK HOOKER may both hear their names called at the top of the first round. Since 1980, there have been five safeties selected in the top five. The most recent top-five selection at the safety position was ERIC BERRY, who was taken by the Kansas City Chiefs with the fifth overall choicein 2010.

The safeties selected in the top five of the NFL Draft since 1980:

YEAR

PLAYER

TEAM

SCHOOL

OVERALL SELECTION

2010

Eric Berry

Kansas City

Tennessee

5

2004

Sean Taylor

Washington

Miami

5

1991

Eric Turner

Cleveland

UCLA

2

1988

Bennie Blades

Detroit

Miami

3

1981

Kenny Easley

Seattle

UCLA

4

— NFL DRAFT —

BROTHERLY LOVE: Wisconsin LB T.J. WATT, the brother of Texans’ DE J.J. WATT and Chargers’ FB DEREK WATT, hopes to hear his name called in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

If selected in the first round, T.J. would join J.J. – the 11th overall selection in 2011 – as the eighth pair of brothers since 1990 to be selected in the first round of their respective NFL Drafts.

The pairs of brothers selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1990:

FAMILY NAME

PLAYER

TEAM (DRAFT YEAR)

PLAYER

TEAM (DRAFT YEAR)

Davis

Vontae*

Miami (2009)

Vernon*

San Francisco (2006)

Long

Kyle*

Chicago (2013)

Chris*

St. Louis (2008)

Manning

Eli*

San Diego (2004)

Peyton

Indianapolis (1998)

McDougle

Jerome

Philadelphia (2003)

Stockar

Detroit (2000)

Pouncey

Mike*

Miami (2011)

Maurkice*

Pittsburgh (2010)

Thomas

Robert

St. Louis (2002)

Stan

Chicago (1991)

Trufant

Desmond*

Atlanta (2013)

Marcus

Seattle (2003)

*Active

— NFL DRAFT —

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Louisiana State S JAMAL ADAMS, son of former first-round pick GEORGE ADAMS (1985, New York Giants), is projected to be taken in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

If Adams is selected in the first round, they would become the eighth father-son combination to be drafted in the first round in the common draft era.

The father-son first-round draft picks since 1967:

FAMILY NAME

FATHER

TEAM (DRAFT YEAR)

SON

TEAM (DRAFT YEAR)

Heyward

Craig

New Orleans (1988)

Cameron*

Pittsburgh (2011)

Ingram

Mark

New York Giants (1987)

Mark*

New Orleans (2011)

Manning

Archie

New Orleans (1971)

Peyton

Indianapolis (1998)

Eli*

San Diego (2004)

Matthews

Clay, Jr.

Cleveland (1978)

Clay*

Green Bay (2009)

Matthews

Bruce

Houston Oilers (1983)

Jake*

Atlanta (2014)

Winslow

Kellen

San Diego (1979)

Kellen, Jr.

Cleveland (2004)

*Active

— NFL DRAFT —

TIGER AT THE TOP: Louisiana State RB LEONARD FOURNETTE aims to be the first running back selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. If taken in the first round, Fournette would become the fourth LSU running back to be selected in the opening round since 1967.

The LSU running backs selected in the first round of the draft since 1967:

YEAR

PLAYER

NO. CHOSEN

TEAM

2006

Joseph Addai

30

Indianapolis

1991

Harvey Williams

21

Kansas City

1979

Charles Alexander

12

Cincinnati

— NFL DRAFT —

FIRST-ROUND TRADES SINCE 2000

(Yearly totals can include future selections traded in previous years.)

“I won the fight for sure,” said Perez. “My plan was to go in and box him, and work him with my jab. I knew I won, but know I could’ve been better if I had more rest before. Next time I fight, I’m going to the best I can be.”

In the evenly matched 10-round co-main event Rashidi “Speedy” Ellis (18-0, 12 KOs) of Boston, MA kept his undefeated record intact and returned home with his IBF North American Welterweight championship defeating Caguas, Puerto Rico’s John Karl Sosa (13-3, 6 KOs) by majority decision. The judges awarded Ellis the victory with scores of 95-95, 97-93, 97-93.

“In the fight, I worked on my jabs and punches the most,” said Ellis. “I’m happy with the decision, but I know my opponent got to me in a lot of the rounds. In the end, I gave it my all.”

“I was planning on going in to defeat him,” said Sosa. “My corner kept telling me to move, and I listened. I felt the fight was much closer than the judges scored it.”

Austin, Texas’ Travell “Black Magic” Mazion (11-0, 11 KOs) proudly — and quickly — announced his return to boxing after a lengthy hiatus, landing a devastating left hook body shot that knocked out opponent Juan “Burbuja” Jesus Rivera (28-18, 18 KOs) at 2:36 of the first round of a super welterweight contest that was scheduled for four to six rounds.

“I wasn’t going in for the knockout, I just wanted to get back in the ring and box him,” said Mazion. “I’m happy the knockout came, and I’m excited to be back.”

Returning to the fight game after a first-round loss last December, Eddie “E-boy” Gomez (20-2, 11 KOs) of The Bronx, New York earned a unanimous decision victory over Dennis “The Menace” Dauti (14-2, 7 KOs) in an eight-round welterweight fight. The judges awarded Gomez the victory with scores of 77-75, 77-75 and 79-73.

“I love fighting on the East Coast in front of all my family, friends and fans,” said Gomez. “In boxing, there are always ups and downs, but I’m just glad to be back and have the victory tonight.”

In his much anticipated return bout from his first defeat, Vyacheslav “Lionheart-Chingonskyy” Shabranskyy (18-1, 15 KOs) of Los Angeles scored knockdowns in each of the first two rounds against Larry “Hitman” Pryor (10-15, 5 KOs), with the latter ending the fight at :54 seconds of the second round.

“Tonight, I was really excited to get in and fight,” said Shabranskyy. “I went in to win and to show everyone Chingonskyy is back and better than ever.”

Kicking off fight night, local Syracuse, New York fighter Jimmy Garcia (5-0, 3 KOs) retained his undefeated record, knocking out fellow light heavyweight Albert Tulley (0-1) of Governor, New York with a punishing body shot at the 1:46 mark of the first round.

“My plan was to go in there to box and win,” said Garica. “I did just that by outboxing him whenever he went at me. Every time I hit him, I hit back and it worked.”

Former World Champions Meet in Welterweight World Title Eliminator That Headlines a Premier Boxing Champions Event, Saturday, April 22 from Barclays Center in Brooklyn & Live on SHOWTIME

Photos from Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME

Photos from Ed Diller/DiBella Entertainment

BROOKLYN (April 20, 2017) – Former world champions Andre Berto and Shawn Porter went face-to-face Thursday two days before they enter the ring for a world title eliminator showdown that headlines SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, presented by Premier Boxing Champions, this Saturday, April 22 from Barclays Center, the home of BROOKLYN BOXING™.

Also in attendance Thursday and headlining SHOWTIME EXTREME action were four-time world champion Amanda Serrano looks to become the first female fighter and first Puerto Rican to win titles in five weight classes when she fights Dahiana Santana for a vacant 118-pound title. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT with unbeaten prospect Jose Miguel Borrego battling California’s John Delperdang.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by DiBella Entertainment, start at $50 (not including applicable fees) and are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.ticketmaster.com, www.barclayscenter.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center. Group discounts are available by calling 844-BKLYN-GP.

Here is what the participants had to say Thursday:

ANDRE BERTO

“I started my career in New York and it feels great to be back here in New York. This is going to be a fantastic night of fights. I go a long way back with a lot these fighters up here. It’s tremendous to see these fighters still dialed-in and at this level. I’m the old vet in the group now.

“I’m still on top of my game. That’s something that’s hard to do. We had a tremendous camp. One of the best I’ve had in years. I was focused the whole time.

“I’m looking forward to putting those straps on just like they never left. I respect Shawn and his dad, but right now, they’re in the way.

“I’m going to show you what it is to go through adversity in life and make it to the top again. Saturday night, we’re going to make it happen.”

SHAWN PORTER

“When it’s time for the fight, Andre Berto and I are going to put on a show. I’ve seen this man get hit, I’ve seen him get put down and he got up. I know he can be hurt and I know he can be stopped, He’s a man just like me. He’s ready, but not as ready as me. You don’t want to miss it on Saturday night.

“The number one thing for me is to win this fight and show Keith Thurman that I’m ready for the rematch. There is nothing allowed but positive energy. We’re almost there. I’m definitely excited.

“Andre Berto is dangerous if you allow him to be. We do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen. I have no doubt in my mind that we won’t be in any danger on Saturday night.

“We saw during the Floyd fight that footwork can work against Andre Berto. Against Josesito Lopez we saw that you can box Berto, but you need to get out of the pocket. Against Victor Ortiz we saw that he got put down by Victor. The difference between Victor Ortiz and myself is that I’m a fighter who never stops. I’m coming after you.

“The jab will be a key to this fight. I can throw my jab a lot of different ways. You’ll see me using my jab a lot in this fight.

“Some people thought Garcia-Thurman lacked action, but I’m not worried about that for this one. I don’t condone boos. That’s just how I fight.”

JERMELL CHARLO

“I’m glad to finally have this opportunity. It’s been a long time coming. My coach has already scripted the way he wants this fight to go. I have to make it happen.

“I’m excited to announce that my brother Jermall will be working my corner. I’m really pumped to have him in there with me as my chief second for the first time.

“I don’t know what’s been happening with Charles Hatley’s team. But we’re here and we’re not going anywhere. I’ll never run from anybody.

“This is one of the best camps I’ve had in my life. I had some training in Los Angeles and then in Dallas with Derrick James. We’ve stepped it up in training working every day with Errol Spence.

“My brother and I aren’t getting the respect we deserve in this game. We’re still trying to prove a point and it’ll start on Saturday with this fight.

“This is the strongest and the fastest I’ve ever been. Hatley’s going to do what he’s got to do. We’ve got our team and I’m happy that my team is in this position.”

CHARLES HATLEY

“There’s a new sheriff in town. I’m thankful to everyone who got me this opportunity and made this happen. Now it’s party time. I’ve been working for this fight my whole life, not just for months.

“I’ve wanted Jermell for three years. There’s no other fight in boxing that I want more than this. We had a long camp and we never stopped working. I’m going to bring the best out of him and become the new champion.

“There’s nothing he can do to stop me from leaving the ring with that belt. I know I have all the skills. We’ve worked hard and I believe I have what it takes to beat Charlo and take his belt home.

“I’m going to give the fans a great show and give them something to remember. Once I clean Charlo off of the ground, I’ll get that respect.”

AMANDA SERRANO

“I’m extremely blessed to be in this position. I’m thankful to my whole team for getting me prepared and where I am right now. I trained really hard for this fight. Being a five-division world champion is a great accomplishment. I’m so ready for it.

“We struggled a little bit for this fight because it was for history. I left it in the ring every day. I want to be known as one of the best female fighters and one of the best Puerto Rican fighters in the history of the sport.

“I think our styles are going to match up well for the fans. I always want to leave the fans with something to talk about. Being in my hometown, it’s even more motivation to go put on a performance that everyone remembers.

“I’m glad that Santana took the challenge. It’s going to be a great war as long as it lasts. I had a war with Yazmin Rivas in January but I’m planning on making this an easier and quicker this time around.”

DAHIANA SANTANA

“I know that I’m going against a really good fighter who is a four-division champion. I’ve been training very hard to win this bantamweight title.

“I’ve trained very hard physically and mentally for this fight and I feel ready for a victory. I know that with the work we did in training, that I’ll be ready for anything Serrano brings into the ring.

“I’m thankful to SHOWTIME for airing a women’s fight and on Saturday we will give you a war at Barclays Center.”

JOSE MIGUEL BORREGO

“I’m very glad to have this opportunity. We’ve prepared very well and I know that me and my team are ready.

“I originally prepared for one opponent and now I’m facing someone I’m very familiar with so I think I will still be able to put on an explosive performance.”

JOHN DELPERDANG

“I’m really happy to be a part of this fight. I’m coming to win and I’m coming for the knockout. I know that a win puts me on a different level.

“Training camp has been incredible. We stayed ready this whole time and when the call came, we were ready to jump on it.”

RICHARDSON HITCHINS

“To be able to come back to the Barclays Center for a second time is an honor. Training camp was great and I’ve stayed in the gym. I’m ready to get back in there.

“There was no bigger stage than the Olympics in my eyes. Without Andre Berto, I would not be standing here as a 2016 Olympian and in the position I’m in as a pro.

“I hope everyone comes out for a great night. I’m going to put on a show and I know that all these other fighters are going to do the same.”

LOU DIBELLA, President of DiBella Entertainment

“This is going to be another sensational show at Barclays Center. SHOWTIME is really on a roll and they just came out with another slate of great shows. I’m proud to work with them on this fight.

“This main event doesn’t need a lot of hype. Two of the best guys in the division fighting to get in there with Keith Thurman and prove who the man is. Shawn almost succeeded against Keith in a fight he thought he won. Berto is a champion and there is no quit in him. This is going to be a war in the ring on Saturday night.

“Barclays Center has become the capital of New York boxing and one of the best boxing venues in the country. That is not by accident, but by design. Brett Yormark is not only doing good fights, but a series of good fights. He’s making sure there is a constant flow of good boxing coming into the building. Brooklyn Boxing is something with a great deal of momentum and Saturday night is another great example of what Brooklyn Boxing is.”

STEPHEN ESPINOZA, Executive VP & General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports

“This is another great Barclays Center event and another night of championship level boxing on SHOWTIME. That’s what we have been doing all year, that’s what Barclays Center does and that’s what Lou DiBella does.

“Borrego and Delperdang are making their television debuts, which is a big milestone in their career. Amanda Serrano is fighting to make history. No one has done what she’s trying to do. Charles Hatley is fighting for a world title, which is something he’s spent his whole career trying to do. But Jermell Charlo is driven just as much. He’s spent his career getting here and he is driven to hold onto his title.

“Berto and Porter have never been in a boring fight. They’re fighting to get back to the top of the mountain. There is plenty at stake. You may be tempted to overlook this card, but this will be one of the strongest cards of the year, and you shouldn’t miss it.”